Sharpsville man, 30, killed in Trumbull Co. plane crash

Staff report

GUSTAVUS

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a Sunday afternoon small-plane crash that killed a 30-year-old Sharpsville, Pa., man.

Douglas F. Bacconi was killed when the 1946 Luscombe fixed-wing, single-engine airplane in which he was a passenger crashed in Gustavus Township just before 3 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The pilot, Brian N. Betts, 38, of Williamsfield, Ohio, was injured. Betts was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center with injuries not deemed to be life-threatening.

The crash occurred at 2:53 p.m. at a private air field near the intersection of Ridge and Gardner-Barclay roads. The aircraft took off from the airfield and was airborne for a short time. Police say witness reports indicate that the aircraft took off toward the south, turned around, and was flying northbound at a low altitude when it struck the ground near the edge of the runway.

The plane is owned by Betts.

State troopers were assisted at the scene by the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Department and the Johnston Township Fire Department. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board also responded to the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.